collab 4 hysust - mentors
Carla Delfos
Carla Delfos was trained and worked as an actress and drama teacher.
She founded the European League of Institutes of the Arts – ELIA in 1990, an international network of approximately 300 higher arts education institutions and universities.
She provided leadership to ELIA for over 27 years and developed ELIA into the influential network it is today.
Currently, she is leading Foundation Art Futures, has initiated the Disorderly Women Alliance, speaks at international events and has various international advising functions, such as advisor Performing Arts NL (Fonds Podiumkunsten); member of the Board of Governors (Hochschulrat) of the University of the Arts Berlin; the Advisory Board (Raad van Advies) of the University Groningen (Rijksuniversiteit); Chair of the Board of CelloWercken Zutphen (Cello Academy and International Cello Festival) and she performs with Donne Dubbiose in the theatre piece Da Capo.
She was knighted ‘Chevallier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ and awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and Music, a Degree of Doctor of Arts by Columbia College Chicago, the Andreaspenning by the City of Amsterdam, an Honorary Doctorate by the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.
Maider Maraña
Maider Maraña (Spain, 1981) is the Director of the Baketik Foundation, a civil society organisation on conflict resolution and human rights (www.baketik.org). As an independent consultant (Montevideando consulting), she is an advisor on culture and human rights on public policies for international organisations, such as UNESCO and the European Commission, local governments, and associations. She worked for UNESCO Headquarters (World Heritage Centre) and UNESCO Montevideo Office, as a researcher at the University of the Basque Country and at civil society, in entities such as the UNESCO Center of the Basque Country.
Master of Research in Cultural Law, her thematic focus is cultural rights, public policies on memory and culture, gender equality, and social participation. Some publications: Culture and Development. Evolution and perspectives (2010), Heritage and Human Rights (2015) or Climate change: Threat to Human Rights (2020). She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Interarts Foundation and participates in ICOMOS Spain, among other volunteer work.
MICHAEL PANAYOTIS
Michael Panayotis is a dynamic and innovative leader who embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 2001, taking leadership of Panayotis ApS. His vision transformed the brand into a market leader in bridal fashion in Denmark. Michael’s resilience and strategic foresight were instrumental in steering the company through the financial crisis and into a sustainable future. His diverse leadership roles include influential positions in various organizations, such as Venstre Vejle Midtby, The Flying Theater and CrossFit Heaven, showcasing his passion for community engagement and physical fitness.
Michael’s commitment to business development and community enrichment is evident in his initiatives like FORZA VEJLE, which foster collaboration among local entities to enhance Vejle’s cultural and economic landscape. His extensive board experience, including significant contributions to the Triangle Razorbacks, reflects his strategic acumen and ability to drive growth and innovation. Michael’s diverse expertise spans various sectors, demonstrating a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit, leadership skills, and dedication to making a positive impact in both the business and local communities.
VIKTORIA DRAGANOVA
Viktoria, based in Sofia, is a curator, writer, and educator. In 2015, she established Swimming Pool, a contemporary art and research space. Over the following years, she led the exhibition program of the space, initiating various educational projects and artistic collaborations. In 2021, she initiated the Center for Social Vision, an interdisciplinary platform that encourages artists and curators to work beyond the gallery context and explore the role of art in urban spaces, peripheral areas, and in conversation with different communities. She is the editor-in-chief of the Journal for Social Vision, as well as the publisher of Sofia Art Map.
Viktoria studied law in Germany and holds a PhD degree in legal history.
CARLO FERRETTI
Graduated in Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, I am a public value designer, dedicated to local development policies and strategies.
I lead the Department of Research and Innovation of Materahub, curating several European projects, from Horizon Europe, to COSME and Creative Europe. Specifically, within this project dimension, I had the opportunity to design data-oriented methodologies, as in the case of IMPACTOUR, developing a platform for supporting public administrations’ local development strategy, or DROP, where designing and implementing co-governance approaches to deprived areas.
I am a social impact evaluator, leveraging SROI and the VBA (Value Based Approach) methodologies to organisations such as Matera European Capital of Culture 2019 or the Nuto Revelli Foundation.
Furthermore, I worked for the Municipality of Bari, fulfilling project management tasks during an URBACT project (Com.unity.Lab).
I teach for the Cultural Management Master of Feltrinelli Foundation and to the Master of Advanced Education on Private Cultural Heritage of Intesa San Paolo.
From 2021, I am an affiliate researcher of the Metalab Harvard.
Georgia Voudouri
Georgia Voudouri has a Diploma in Architecture from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), and a Master in Advanced Architecture (MAA) from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia in Barcelona (IAAC), with a specialization in Parametric Design and Digital Fabrication. She also holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Management from Panteion University, Athens.
She has worked as an architect in Greece and abroad, and since 2010 she has been working as a curator and cultural project manager. In 2014 she co-founded Medianeras [concepts, curating, communication] a cultural management agency based in Athens. She has undertaken projects ranging from architecture, art, and technology to gastronomy, fashion, and social entrepreneurship, and has significant experience in the project management of large-scale site-specific projects.
Since 2018 she has been a member of the Artistic Directorate of the European Capital of Culture 2023 Eleusis, as the Director of Cultural Development. She has been in charge of the curation and project management of a varied portfolio of projects within the ECoC programme, including the CCIs, Digital technologies and Innovation, Sustainability, Agriculture, Cinema, and Photography.
NICHOLAS ANASTASOPOULOS
Associate professor, NTUA School of Architecture. Architect, (BA NTUA, MARCH Yale University).
NTUA PhD with research interests in sustainability, commons, the urban condition, communities, systems theory, degrowth, ecology and complexity, topics on which he has written, and taught widely.
Postdoctoral research on aspects of sustainability (IAEN, Ecuador, 2014). Scientific officer representing NTUA for the H2020 SoPHIA research program (2020, 2021). Representation of Greece in the project Amplify/-Make the Future of Europe Yours. Initiator and coordinator for the Architecture School of Commons (ASOC), in collaboration between UNSAG/Grenoble and Politecnico di Torino (2022-24).
He was President of the Management Body of Schinias Marathon National Park (2010-2011) Author of an upcoming book on the relationships between Nature, Man, and Architecture. Culture Action Europe member (2015-).
YIANNIS TSIATSIANIS
Employed in the coffee and beverage industry from 1995, at almost all relative working positions (waiter, bartender, dishwasher, DJ, bar management, supply orders, client bookings, staff coordination etc.), Ι became a 250 sq. m. cafe-bar owner at 2007. Until its closure at 2022, Ι managed and trained more than 200 staff members, based on my experience and ongoing training from national and international professional training organisations (Specialty Coffee Association (EU/USA), New York Bartending School of Manhattan (USA), Le Monde Institute (GR), Wines and Spirit Education Trust (UK), WSPC (GR)).
The hybrid nature of my coffee business, as a venue for more than 150 local and international DJs, many live music festivals and concerts, art exhibitions, stand-up comedy and beverage seminars, introduced me in the event producing and managing industry· in 2017 I founded T & T Productions, the scope of it being the production and presentation of artistic events. Since then, mostly in collaboration with the ECoC Eleusis 2023, I took part in the production of many multilayered music and art festivals/events, co-curating some of them, providing and supervising technical and front-line staff, promoting the participation of the local audience to cultural projects, while representing and consulting local culture clubs and artists.
Currently, I study an International M.Sc. in Sustainable Tourism Development: Heritage, Environment, Society (Harokopio University / Univeristy of Paris 1 – Pantheon Sorbonne).
JOSYANE FRANC
Ms. Josyane Franc is an international expert with over 35 years of experience in the field of international cultural relations, art and design project conception, management and coordination, co-curating exhibitions, jury design competitions etc. She is a Design networks Expert and independent consultant since 2019 involved in European and international projects. In 2022, for her career and commitment to culture with outstanding contributions she was awarded Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite /Knight of the National Order of Merit, one the highest French National civilian awards.
Her career includes the roles of Director of international affairs for the Cité du Design and Saint-Etienne School of Art and Design (ESADSE)- France, member of the founding committee of the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Étienne in 1998 till 2019 and focal point for Saint-Etienne UNESCO creative city of design 2010-2019.
LENE FLORIS
Lene is an experienced cultural advisor working with and mentoring creative industries, art & history, museums, archives, and other cultural institutions such as theatres, workshops, and NGOs (education/Højskole and DEI=diversity, equity, and inclusion).
Lene has worked as the director of several museums (art & history, open air), both at local, regional, and national/international levels and is a member of several boards, previously she was chairperson of the Association of Danish Museums.
Focus: Interdisciplinarity and cross-fertilization between arts, architecture, and history, and other sectors of society with sustainability in all aspects and co-creation and engagement of volunteers/civil society as focus points. Educated as an ethnologist (MA), she also holds a master’s of public governance.
Mercedes Giovinazzo
Culture and international cooperation are the terms that define my work and passion. I have worked all my life for international organisations, both governmental and non-governmental, and for networks that advocate for the belief that culture is not only a necessary element for effective public policies but also a sector with an intrinsic public value. Experience comes with time and now is the time “to give back” also through a project such as this one.
Ivana Stančić
Ivana Stančić, manager of the social innovation program at Smart Kolektiv, has been supporting individuals and organizations for over 15 years to be more innovative, efficient, and sustainable in solving social challenges in their communities. Through various mentoring programs, she has collaborated with over 150 young, women, and/or impact entrepreneurs, guiding in areas such as business idea development, business models, social impact, access to finance, and partnerships with the private sector. Ivana manages the programs and portfolio of companies that are part of the Smart Impact Fund, the first fund for social investments in the region. Additionally, she is the manager of the regional conference Social Innovations Forum, and a co-founder of several social enterprises. She actively participates in the work of the Coalition for the Development of Solidarity Economy and several international networks for the development of the social economy and impact investing, including Youth Business International, Euclid Network, and the European Venture Philanthropy Association.
JOVANA TOMIĆ
Jovana started her professional career as a PR manager at a contemporary art gallery. Realizing she enjoys everything digital, she joined the emerging tech industry in 2012. She has led teams in marketing and communications departments in diverse tech companies and advertising agencies. Of all the different things she worked on in the past, the field of communication is where she felt like home.
Jovana has been involved in numerous projects related to decentralizing culture and supporting entrepreneurship development. She is a co-founder of the kriva.art initiative and an enthusiastic managing partner at obrt.team.
VERA LLOYD-THOMAS
Flexible:
From a country that has undergone significant socio-economic changes, I’ve adapted to various economic systems and lived in five different countries.
Fast:
With educational experiences spanning four countries and executive education in three more, I’ve forged a career journey that includes leadership roles in successful startups, corporates, and the development of a major Balkan media/advertising network, working across 12 markets.
Seasoned:
Despite not fitting the typical tech-mentor mold, my age brings extensive experience with clients ranging from small entrepreneurs to global brands like Coca-Cola and Volkswagen, as well as organizations such as Save the Children and the European Commission.
Versatile:
With expertise across diverse industries including education, FMCG, automotive, telco, and healthcare, I offer strategic insights honed through hands-on experience.
Hands-On:
My projects encompass brand development, new business creation, blockchain fintech, e-commerce, and digital strategy, reflecting a commitment to innovation and tangible results.
Nerd:
As a perpetual learner, I continually update my knowledge, particularly in strategy, innovation, and education, to ensure relevance in mentoring endeavors.
Entrepreneurial Journey:
From creating brand strategies in the 1990s to founding pioneering marketing ventures, my journey exemplifies a dedication to innovation and seizing new opportunities.
Current Ventures:
At 56, I engage in teaching, advisory roles for startups, and consulting on strategy and marketing, alongside charitable work in special needs education.
Personal Life:
Family is central to my life, with a husband and two sons who are my source of joy and inspiration.
